How I Got into Fashion Accessories and Craft-making: Juliet Ogbonna Shares Her Story

Then consider yourself lucky because in this edition of the #KAInterviews, we bring you our exclusive interview with the Founder/CEO of House of Ebony, a fast-growing African fashion accessories and craft-making company, based in Lagos Nigeria.

In this interview, she tells how she started out, her most effective strategy and where she sees the House of Ebony brand 5 years from now, among others. So, spare a few minutes and enjoy this interview.

Tell us about yourself; family ethnicity, education, base/location…

Juliet Ogbonna is the second child in a family of six. I hail from Ideato South in Imo state. I studied Science Education from the Institute of Management and Technology, Enugu.

I am the Founder/CEO of House of Ebony, based in Lagos, Nigeria.

What specific solutions do you deliver in the marketplace?

We are a fast-growing African fashion accessories and craft-making company that uses African fabrics to produce stylish and creative outfits for individual and corporate brands. We make people “wear their brand” and “deco their brand”.

What inspired you to start this business?

I was just very curious and creative. As I followed my curiosity, it opened my mind. I have got a “makers” mentality.

I also love crafts and enjoy working with fabrics. This is an inherent skill I learnt from my late mum who was a seamstress.

The uniqueness of African print always makes me want to incorporate Africanism into my own style. I started making branded T-shirts with my plain T-shirts and ankara accessories to match. People admired it because the T-shirt was branded with an ankara inscription “Ebony” which was my nickname and they kept asking where they could get theirs.

“Haaaa!” I said to myself. “Start telling them you are the maker”. That was how House of Ebony was born.

What has been the most effective strategy you have used to grow your business?

Developing a brand, being visible and earning customer’s love.

How have you effectively leveraged the power of social media to push your message?

Social media is the hard core of any business. For us, it’s not an extension of marketing but a key part of our brand DNA.

What are some of the major challenges you have encountered so far and how did you overcome them?

When we started out, patronage level was low because it takes one who loves and appreciates craft to patronize us. It threatened our business success. But the secret that made us succeed is #PERSISTENCE.

I believed in myself and in what I’m doing, and no matter what people said to discourage me, I didn’t give up on my dreams.

Where do you see your business 5 years from now?

In the next 5 years, House of Ebony will be an International African Brand, a household name and a must-have product for everyone.

Any mentor(s)? What is the best advice you have ever received from your Mentor(s)?